Dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and promoting respectful engagement, Suzanne serves as a cultural inclusion facilitator and Tribal liaison. Suzanne bridges gaps among communities, facilitating effective communication and collaboration. As a cultural inclusion facilitator, she navigates the intricacies of diverse cultural landscapes, ensuring that traditions and values are honored and respected.
She builds meaningful connections and partnerships by fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. Suzanne brings her lifelong personal, cultural, and traditional experiences to her work. She has a passion for preserving and celebrating cultural heritage and strives to create spaces where dialogue flourishes and relationships are enriched.
“Suzanne has been such an asset to the Portland Water Bureau’s ongoing efforts to build better lines of communication with the Native community and incorporate Indigenous perspectives as we think through, plan, and implement projects in the drinking water utility-related arena.
She has been instrumental in leading the thoughtful creation of the Water Bureau’s Urban Indigenous Engagement Circle, building an environment that is welcoming and promotes open sharing and participation by all members. Suzanne skillfully creates safe spaces for bureau staff and Indigenous leaders to build authentic relationships around conversations about water and the many ways water is central to all of our lives.
Suzanne expertly balances supporting her clients’ organizational mission and goals while advocating for processes and structures that honor and elevate Native voices and culture. Our organization is grateful for the privilege of working with Suzanne and fortunate to be the beneficiaries of the powerful outcomes that she cultivates.”
-Briggy Thomas, City of Portland Liaison to Tribal Relations
Related Projects
Barney & Worth – Portland Water Bureau | Bull Run Filtration Projects Urban Indigenous Engagement Circle
Community Engagement Facilitator, 2021 – 2025
Facilitating engagement circles with six urban Indigenous communities as part of a billion-dollar improvement project that will serve safe, clean drinking water to over a million people in the metro area. The bureau wants to improve engagement with urban Indigenous communities, in recognition of Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the land. The project will result in guidance for opportunities to connect through water, taking a long-term view, and advancing native stewardship of land and water. It will also result in an internship focused on representation of Native languages and partnerships with Native organizations
Arcadis | Quinault Indian Reservation, Taholah School District Projects, WA
Cultural Coordination Consultant, 2024-present
Facilitating community engagement and communications with the owner and Quinault Tribe, ensuring the community’s voices are heard and cultural elements are implemented appropriately from schematic design through construction. The Taholah School District is designing and constructing a 75,000-square-foot K-12 school to serve 250 students. The school will be 150 feet above sea level, part of the new upper Taholah village, a part of the Tribe’s relocation to plan for resilience to natural disasters and climate change.
Kennedy-Wong Consulting | Port of Camas-Washougal
Tribal Cultural Facilitation and Training, 2026-present
Developed and delivered a comprehensive Tribal relations training program for Port leadership and staff focused on government-to-government consultation with federally recognized Tribes. Designed the customized curriculum to address when, how, and why consultation is required under federal and Washington State law. Presented a historical timeline of federal Indian law and policy, including treaty-making, allotment, termination, and self-determination eras, to provide context for contemporary Tribal relations. Defined and explained key concepts including Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, federal trust responsibility, and consultation triggers. Provided practical guidance on initiating consultation, documenting engagement, and integrating consultation into infrastructure and environmental project workflows. Facilitated discussion on cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation, including appropriate institutional representation and engagement practices. Strengthened organizational capacity, reduced regulatory risk, and improved staff competency in intergovernmental Tribal engagement.
Northwest Environmental Business Council Oregon Brownfields Conference
Tribal Relations & Government-to-Government Consultation Training, May 2026
Presented at the Oregon Brownfields Conference on the topic “From Outreach to Partnership: Elevating Community Engagement and Government-to-Government Consultation.” Spoke about how effective engagement requires more than outreach—it requires intention, respect, and a willingness to listen across different types of relationships. Explored how community engagement with the public and government-to-government consultation with Tribes can be approached with equal authenticity, while honoring the distinct responsibilities each requires. Sharing practical strategies and real-world examples, highlighted how storytelling—grounded in community values, culture, and lived experience—can build trust, inform decisions, and strengthen partnerships, ultimately leading to more resilient and inclusive outcomes.